Woodridge mulls gaming license limit during trial period

Twenty businesses want licenses, but only 8 to 10 would get them under plan

April 19, 2014|By Joseph Ruzich | Special to the Tribune

Even though Woodridge trustees are poised to repeal a ban on video gambling in the suburb, not all business establishments that want the machines will have the opportunity to acquire them.

At a village board meeting on April 10, trustees directed the village attorney to draft an ordinance that would limit the number of gaming licenses, citing that there would be a "tryout period" before a final decision is made to expand or discontinue gaming in the suburb.

Trustee Magin "Mike" Martinez made the initial suggestion at the meeting to limit the licenses.

"I believe it (video gambling) will benefit the village from a financial standpoint, but some residents have concerns," Martinez said. "Maybe we can try eight to 10 (licenses) to start with, and we can revisit this opportunity again."

Village Attorney Thomas Good told the board that issuing a limited number of licenses would have to be done in a fair way such as first come first serve or by conducting a lottery. There are 20 businesses interested in acquiring video gaming machines, according to village officials.

Trustee Greg Abbott told the board that he is against limiting the licenses.

"My thought is that we want every business in Woodridge who thinks gaming can help make them competitive with restaurants in other towns to be able to have it," Abbott said. "I think we should move forward and allow it."

Trustee Anne Banks told the board that she doesn't support video gambling in the community. "It has been said that video gaming can be viewed as entertainment, but others may see it as a quick fix to supplementing income," Banks said. "I realize that everyone has choices, but in this current economy, (some choices) are based on need and desperation."

Village officials said there will be a $500 gambling license fee and an annual fee of $250 for each gaming terminal. The village projects an income of over $250,000 per year from the machines.

The village board is expected to vote on the issue at a meeting on April 24.

Rich Moore, owner of Shanahan's Food & Spirits near 75th Street and Woodward Avenue, supports video gambling in the suburb and added that issuing some licenses is better than prohibiting it all together.

"We need to have a level playing field," Moore said. "Those who are seeking out video gambling are leaving Woodridge and going to other towns that have them like Darien and Westmont. Something has to be done to help small businesses in town."

The Illinois General Assembly — which first approved video gambling in May 2009 — put a provision in the law that allows communities to opt out of video gambling. After more than three years of negotiations and delays, the first machines were turned on at some Illinois bars in October 2012.

The law allows up to five video poker machines to be installed at truck stops, fraternal organizations and establishments that hold liquor licenses. Some of the revenues from the machines will go to bar owners and to fund state capital improvement projects.